Book Review Bluntness
54
 | Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $15.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
Recently, I read a blog, "Like the author... but" by Sharon Wildwind, in which she discusses the awkwardness of responding to a "friend’s book," a technical writer who decided to try fiction. The book was "boring." But Wildwind is reluctant to tell the truth. How to respond? A common dilemma.
We’ve all received book recommendations or gifts, but couldn’t get past the first few pages. An online acquaintance suggested I try reading Ayn Rand and even gave me a kindle copy of "Atlas Shrugged." After slogging through several chapters, I responded that I loved the independent individualistic female character but "felt like I was being bludgeoned to death by a cascade of unnecessary words repeatedly used to describe the painfully obvious." An honest response. I felt like I’d have to be paid to read any further. This acquaintance was going to read my novel "Where the River Splits" and post reviews. That was months ago, and I haven’t heard back. (Could be that she’s just busy, as we all are, but my pause highlights the problem.)
In "Are We All Great Writers," I wrote that no one seems willing to say, "This is crap." Writers are much more comfortable lavishing other writers with praise, probably in the misguided belief that if we praise others someone with praise us. We forgo honesty in order to increase our chances of selling our books. And in this age of online attacks, likely we’re more than a little afraid of vindictive retaliation.
But if we are allowed to respond negatively to famous writers like Charles Dickens, Dean Koontz, John Grisham, and Ayn Rand (a few I’ve had negative feelings about), then why can’t we have those same feelings for self-published amateurs. In our response, we can remind them of what good company they’re in. Hiding out and not responding at all is perhaps the worst reaction, essentially lying to boost our own careers. (I’ve done it as well and might do it again – doesn’t make it right.)
However, writers have the obligation to make sure their readers feel comfortable enough to give honest feedback. As I have stated numerous times in blogs, facebook postings, and articles about fiction, I welcome brutally honest remarks. Such sentiment is in my Author’s Note to "Where the River Splits." I try to tell people up front that they are under no obligation to "like" my writing. If the reader hates your work, you can request that they avoid posting negative reviews; for example, a one star "review" stating that she only read the first few pages but didn’t like the style. That’s not a review, and it’s not helpful to anyone.
I know it is difficult. It’s not like telling someone their shoes are darling, the cheese is good, and I love your haircut. But when a writer is waiting for your response, and you’re still trying to plod through the boring prose, tell the truth.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (5)
- Funny (2)
- Awesome (3)
- Beautiful (2)
- Interesting (4)
CommentsLoading...
randslam, you are a delight! You just made me laugh right out loud. They say it's good for folks in my age bracket to laugh more...does something for the brain & memory, or something. Can't quite remember. *wink*
Your humor & the lively interactions between you & Mr. May just tickle me pink.
Happy writing in 2012! May this be the year that you & Mr. May once & for all prove in the publishing world that old adage, "Age & craft will always trump youth & beauty", the caveat being, obviously, that we always grow more beautiful as we mature, personally & professionally!
Warm regards...Cocoa Fly Fishes
I think I'm in love with CoCoa Fly Fishes.
Dear Mr. May:
Thank you.
Now I must tell our friend, Mr. randslam, that I absolutely adore his comment, "To write well is a gift...to edit...divine." I nearly laughed myself right off the sofa...because it's true! Thank you for the joy, randslam.
And thank you to you, too, Mr. May, for clearing up what many established writers are seeking in a review of their work & for identifying what is helpful & what is not.
When folks ask me to read their work, I do, editing & taking copious notes as I work through their copy. I am honest with them, but find it most comfy for both parties & most productive of success to express my thoughts in the form of questions like, "Would you consider...?" & "Could you please help me to understand this, because I have a few thoughts about how this might be made more clear?"
A lot of my work is editing & formatting others for publication. I want to support the writers' message, voice, style, & content, & to do so in a way that is supportive of growth & success.
Editing my own work is a fairly simple one-step process, Mr. May: I burn it. LOL
Warm regards to you & yours...Cocoa Fly Fishes
Hi Rand, I looked at a sample from Smashwords and it looks interesting. Are you going to make it available for kindle as well? And thanks for inadvertantly reminding me that I should have posted a link to my kindle books here. http://www.amazon.com/Jeffrey-Penn-May/e/B004X6QV1
Check out my first eBook...official send off was yesterday...http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109419
I wept. It's called The Godfollowers--"In the beginning..."
I agree Lisa, great comments from all of you. Regarding my book, now I’ve really set myself up, haven’t I? :) (All my kindle books are .99 until the end of the year.)
randslam and Will Starr- excellent!!!!!!
"...so what really does constitute a good writer? Good question. I have to think on this one."
A good writer is one who can draw you deep inside the book and make you forget about the world around you.
Writing well is such an expression of who the person is, where they've been and how they have been educated to create something that could be called "good writing".
The sad reality is that most people would write, "I do write good."
There...now that's bad writing...lol.
Now that I'm awake, it really is difficult to determine what a good writer is outside of taste. Editors can correct the grammar, spelling, etc., so what really does constitute a good writer? Good question. I have to think on this one.
My grandma is on the kindle trying to order us your book. I hope she can get it on there but if not we'll do it the old fashioned way. We will surely give you an honest opinion of what we think. I already know that you are a good writer so this critique might be based on taste! LOL. I know I will love it.
Lisa, you make all sorts of sense, especially when dealing with this sort of topic. I was the one making the Grisham-Steinbeck comparison. And I think "bad" writing extends beyond grammar, spelling and sentence structure. The key is of course figuring out the difference between it and taste. (Gender may also have something to do with taste, but who really knows. If Steinbeck were a beginning writer and wanted your honest opinion, you would I hope tell him that you didn't like his over-description of dust.) Thanks again for stopping by and offering insightful and thought provoking comments. Jeff
I was in no way comparing Grisham to Steinbeck. I was merely giving an example of how I had a hard time getting through the first two chapter of a "Great". I Love the law and all things written like a lawyer so naturally I would love Grisham, whereas you weren't impressed with the way he writes like a lawyer. There is no comparison to them as writers. I'm sleepy and probably not making any sense. Sorry.
To write well is a gift...to edit...divine.
I think you misunderstood what I was saying. If you are talking about poor spelling, poor sentence structure, bad grammar, etc., then yes, it would be absurd to tell someone they are a good writer even if the idea of the story or story line is good. Even the best of writers, such as Steinbeck, can be wordy, too descriptive, and boring in some of their chapters or even books. Some of the classics bore me to tears but of course, they are excellent writers. My taste in what they are writing about can influence my judgement as to whether I find them to be a good writer. Now I loved Wuthering Heights, but that is because I find those types of story lines intriguing and I was captivated right from the start. It's not all in taste, but we tend to judge good writing and bad writing in that manner. It is a complicated subject, indeed.
Hi Lisa, yes, but I would stop short in saying that it's "all" a matter of taste. If you are comparing Steinbeck to Grisham, okay. (I loved Steinbeck and read all of his books.) But I think we should voice our honest opinion (gently of course). To suggest bad writing is a matter of taste, I'm not so sure. If nine out of ten people think it is bad writing, then it probably is and needs work. To imply we feel it isn't "bad" does a disservice to the writer. At any rate, good comments and thanks for stopping by. It's a complex topic.
I liked this hub. Well written, informative and truthful. Writers, like artists, are a sensitive lot regardless of how much they beg for an honest critique. So we must be gentle with our honesty. Unlike you, I love Grisham. But then, I like law writing. However, I thought I would die while reading Grapes of Wrath. I never knew a person could describe dust in such a lengthy fashion and I barely got through the first couple of chapters. It is all in taste I suppose, unless someone really cannot write at all.
Good point Will, but you can have some mercy on "a writer with no talent" and at least let him or her know, so he or she doesn't waste a lot of time and money. ("Taste" is another issue. I don't like Grisham and would prefer to see Grisham movies than read his books, but even though he writes "like a lawyer," he can write.)
There's not much point in offering criticism to a writer with no talent. Either you can write, or you can't.
Of course, taste in literature should not be mistaken for critical talent.
Make sure you upload it for kindle as well, as Smashwords doesn't include kindle. But the Amazon program and formatting is similar. Also, consider 99cents instead of free. Isn't your writing worth something? Gee, I guess I just gave you lots of unsolicited advice.
I'm doing it right now...learning something...go to smashwords.com.
I'm uploading my new book for free and enjoying the whole ride...I'll let you know how long it takes me...lol.
Thanks Rand. Hopefully, even old crotchety writers like me can learn something new.
Voted all of the above except "down", Jeff. A thick skin is a must for a writer--if we desire an improvement of our craft.
I will constructively criticize...plus, minus, plus...because any writer can get better at the art form...the sad part about eggheads who think they are great writers is that the established snobbery of the ilk won't let them see out from down long, and growing longer, noses. It's a shame...amateurs should be most open to criticism...they have the greatest possibility to improve before its too late and they just become old, crotchety authors.
Hi wingedcentaur, thanks for stopping by and offering your clear observation -- "might lead to much better writing tomorrow."
Its a tough truth you tell, Jeff May. A tough truth, indeed. However, "truth" is the operative word. And anyway, a tough review today might, just might lead to much better writing tomorrrow. That's how I look at it.
Good hub. Vote 'up' and 'useful.'
Take it easy.
Jeff May Hub Author 4 months ago
Hello you guys, thanks for your lively exchanges. Randslam, I think we both could learn a lot from our friend Cocoa.